Mini-Grant Program

Mini-Grant Program

Introduction

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Library Accessibility Mini-Grant Program supports and funds library staff at member libraries in pursuing professional development in library accessibility. Funding is administered through the Big Ten Academic Alliance Library Accessibility Group and can be used by individuals at member libraries to attend or present at trainings, conferences, or other relevant professional development opportunities that will advance their knowledge in accessibility and our collective commitment to library accessibility.

Program Details

Mini grants are available to library staff at BTAA Member Libraries, in amounts up to $750 per institution.  

NOTE: At present, the granting program can support approximately $750 of funding per member library per year. If successful, we will work to grow this program.

Criteria for grant awards

The following criteria will be used to determine awards and should be addressed in the application:

  • How is the professional development opportunity relevant to library accessibility?

  • What outcome or impact might this professional development have on library accessibility at your member library and/or at the Big Ten Level?

  • Have you received funding from this mini-grant program before?

  • Optional additional information about your access to professional development opportunities and funding, your library accessibility work, etc.

Eligibility

All library staff at member institutions (including full-time, part-time, and student employees) are eligible for this award.

Disbursal

Once awarded, funds will be disbursed to the finance contact at the respective institution for management. Please note that it typically takes 4-6 weeks for funds to be provided to the institution. Additional details will be provided in the award letter.

Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed on a rolling basis. If your funding request is time sensitive, please indicate this in your application form.

To apply, fill out this Application Form, which requires the following information:

  • Your contact information

  • Criteria for award

    • How the funds will be used

    • The outcomes or impact of this professional development, at the member library and/or the BTAA level

    • Other relevant background about you (your access to and funding for professional development opportunities, your library accessibility work)

  • Budget

    • Amount requested and budget breakdown

Review committee is a subset of BTAA membership.

Accountability

After receiving and using the grant funds, the grant awardee must: 

  • Within 90 days of the professional development event, submit a brief report using this Grant Report Form, describing how funds were spent and the outcomes, impact, or next steps related  to this professional development

The BTAA Library Accessibility group and the Mini-Grant Review Committee may share these reports to help assess, advocate for, and promote the program.

Questions or Feedback

For questions or suggestions related to this program, please use this Mini-Grant Feedback Form.